Competing Use of Force Bills Introduced in Legislature

The use of force among law enforcement has become a hot-button topic nationwide in the past few years.

This controversial and emotional issue will carry on in the state Legislature with two competing proposals, AB 392 (Weber) and SB 230 (Caballero).

AB 392, introduced by Assembly Member Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), seeks to revise the legal standard for use of deadly force by peace officers. This bill is considered a reintroduction of AB 931 from 2018, which Weber introduced in the wake of the Stephon Clark shooting incident in Sacramento.

Law enforcement groups acknowledge that the current use of force statute, established in 1872, is in need of an update. The bill they are sponsoring, SB 230 by Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced), seeks to modify California’s requirements for employing deadly force in a manner that reflects the decisions of the United States and California Supreme Courts. SB 230 also calls for more police training and an emphasis on trying to calm suspects before resorting to lethal force.

These two bills will likely be heard in the Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees. The League will continue to monitor these bills as they progress and provide updates in CA Cities Advocate as available.